The Oldest Square Clock in Paris: Horloge du Palais de la Cité

(Last Update: 05.06.2025) While walking on the streets of Paris, we have to look not only in front of us, but also around us, to our right and left, and even always looking up. Because there are so many beauties and details all around us in this city that should not be missed... Here is one of them, The first and oldest square clock in Paris, Horloge du Palais de la CitéThis time I want to introduce .

Of course, when we say square clock, the first thing that comes to our mind is the Izmir or Dolmabahçe clock towers, but I don't think this clock can be called a clock tower even though it is in a tower. To call it a square clock, it must be facing a square, which it is not, in short, it is a clock placed at the bottom of a tower at the corner of a building, built for the Parisians of that time to know the time.

Horloge du Palais de la Cité, built by Henri de Vic by order of King Charles V between 1370 and 1371It is the city's first and oldest square clock. The watch, which has undergone many restorations and changes throughout history, is truly extremely stylish and flashy. However, since it is at the corner of a building rather than at the top of a tower, it can be overlooked if you do not look up when passing by, especially if the trees have not shed their leaves.

Cite Islandin (Île de la Cité) Palais de La Cité – Cité PalaceHorloge du Palais de la Cité, located in Concierge ServiceIt is located right at the corner of . A 47 meter tower the clock placed in the lower part, especially Gilded lily on a blue background, a symbol of French royalty It attracts attention with its patterned background and, of course, its magnificent clock dial and other decorations.

You will see two female statues on either side of the clock, this Of the two statues, the one on the left represents law and the one on the right represents justice.. The Latin text on the clock reads: QVI DEDIT ANTE DVAS TRIPLICEM DABIT ILLE CORONAM well "He who gives two crowns will give the third" he is writing. I learned that the two crowns at that time were the kingdoms of France and Poland, but frankly I did not fully understand what the third crown represented.

At the bottom of the Horloge du Palais de la Cité, it is also written in Latin. MACHINA QVÆ BIS SEX FULL JVSTE DIVIDIT HORAS JVSTITIAM SERVARE MONET LEGES QVE TVERI well "This clock divides time into twelve to teach upholding the law and justice." he is writing.

my book A Week in ParisA chapter I told in , takes place in front of this clock, and the character in the book has a different perspective on the subject regarding these Latin sayings 😉

You can see different compositions of the letters HC and D on the round arched pediments above the clock. The letter H here means the king of France. II. Henryrepresents; C is queen Catherine de Medici. D's story is a bit strange; that's the king's favorite Diane de PoitiersIs it the first letter of your name? these names Chaumont sur Loire Castle ve Chenonceau Castle You will remember from his articles. I gave interesting details about the subject there 😉

Here, approximately with a history of 700 years The story of this watch is briefly like this. After you look up and see this impressive clock while passing by, you can continue your tour in the surrounding area. Cite Island It is already a paradise in itself. Notre Dame Cathedral, Holy Chapel, Palais de la Justice, Concierge Service, Flower market, Pont Neuf and many other interesting things are waiting for your visit very close by.

There is a similar one about 1 hour away from Paris by train. Rouen This watch always reminds me of that place because I saw it in the city. The easiest way to get here by public transport to see the Horloge du Palais de la Cité M4 metro of the line City get off at the station.

Pleasant trips, pleasant discoveries.

Address: Conciergerie, 2 Boulevard du Palais, 75001 Paris